(EDWARDSPORT) - Plans for a new power plant in southern Indiana to turn coal into natural gas are dividing the environmental community.

Utility regulators hold hearings next month on plans by Vectren and Duke Energy to build a $2-billion coal-gasification plant in Edwardsport. The plant would burn cleaner than traditional coal-fired power plants.

That's won the endorsement of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. Executive director John Goss says there would be significant cuts in sulfur and mercury pollution, and a chance to cut carbon emissions, too.